In a thrilling match on Thursday night, Zhejiang Professional of the Chinese Super League clinched their first victory in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two, defeating Indonesia's Persib Bandung 1-0 at home in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.
Despite trailing by six percent in ball possession, Zhejiang Professional displayed a more aggressive offense with nine shots, four of which were on target. In contrast, Persib Bandung managed five shots but struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. Zhejiang also led in corner kicks, taking five to Persib's three.
Midfield maestro Cheng Jin and forward Jean Kouassi were instrumental in Zhejiang's attack. In the 10th minute, Cheng Jin's close-range shot was expertly blocked by Persib's goalkeeper Kevin Ray Mendoza. A similar chance arose for Cheng in the 56th minute, but it was ruled offside.
Jean Kouassi consistently threatened from the left wing, utilizing his remarkable individual skills to penetrate Persib's defense. However, his initial efforts were repeatedly saved by Mendoza.
The decisive moment came in the 70th minute. A defensive miscue by Persib allowed the ball to fall to Kouassi, who unleashed a powerful shot towards goal. Mendoza managed to get a hand on it, but the force was too great to stop, granting Zhejiang the lead.
To solidify their advantage, Zhejiang made strategic substitutions in the 77th minute, bringing on Qian Jiegei and Gu Bin for Cheng Jin and Wu Wei to bolster their defense. Persib Bandung's last chance to equalize came in the 89th minute with a free kick, but the ensuing header missed the target.
This victory marks an important milestone for Zhejiang Professional in the AFC Champions League Two, boosting their confidence for the upcoming matches in the tournament.
Reference(s):
Zhejiang beat Persib Bandung for 1st win in AFC Champions League Two
cgtn.com